Jason Derulo Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations and Says He’s ‘Deeply Offended’ by ‘Defamatory Claims’

Jason Derulo has damaged his silence on the sexual harassment grievance filed in opposition to him. 

After a lawsuit was filed on Thursday by an aspiring singer claiming Derulo, 34, ended their working relationship after she denied his sexual advances, the R&B star shared an announcement. Early on Friday, the “Glad U Got here” artist shared a video of himself on Instagram wherein he known as the allegations “false and hurtful.” 

“I wouldn’t usually remark, however these claims are utterly false and hurtful,” the “Whatcha Say” singer mentioned within the video, recording himself in what seems to be a dressing room and carrying a printed denim jacket and shirt. 

“I stand in opposition to all types of harassment and I stay supportive of anyone following their goals,” Derulo continued. “I’ve all the time strived to dwell my life in a positively impactful approach, and that’s why I sit right here earlier than you deeply offended by these defamatory claims.” 

The performer concluded his assertion by saying, “God bless.” 

Within the caption of the submit, he shared a transcript of his assertion. 

The grievance — which was obtained by PEOPLE and likewise names Atlantic Information, Derulo’s label Future Historical past Inc., and his supervisor Frank Harris — was filed by Emaza Gibson, 25, in Los Angeles Superior Court docket on Thursday. Gibson is suing for sexual harassment, breach of contract, unlawful retaliatory termination and extra, accusing the singer-songwriter of “maliciously” promising her success, then denying the chance. 

A rep for Derulo denied the allegations in an announcement shared with PEOPLE, which is identical assertion the singer later shared publicly on Instagram. 

“If Derulo actually remained supportive of anybody following their goals, he would acknowledge the ache and struggling he prompted Emaza and intention to be a greater particular person. He needs to be offended by these allegations, as ought to everybody, together with his followers. Emaza is definitely offended by his dismissive angle,” Gibson’s lawyer, Ron Zambrano, mentioned in an announcement. “Your entire music business is due for a #MeToo motion. This type of conduct is pervasive however it takes courageous folks like Emaza to come back out of the shadows and share their tales to lastly deliver an finish to this shameful conduct.”

Within the grievance, Gibson claims Derulo reached out to her in August 2021 when he mentioned he wanted to deliver a brand new artist to Atlantic Information to be able to tackle a brand new three way partnership between the label and his Future Historical past imprint. 

Gibson says she “eagerly” accepted the provide to work with the Cats actor, and entered agreements with Derulo, Atlantic and Future Historical past, with the plan being that inside 4 months she would ship a mixtape to Atlantic and an album inside six, along with a single that includes Derulo. 

Within the paperwork, Gibsons says she thought of Derulo a “mentor [and] supervisor” — however, after texting commonly to schedule recording classes and work conferences, was caught off guard when he started repeatedly inviting her to drinks and dinner. The plaintiff says she didn’t need to meet with the recording artist exterior of knowledgeable setting and would as an alternative counsel to fulfill on the studio, at which level she claims Derulo requested if she’d have a drink with him within the studio.

She alleges he’d “always” stress her to drink with him throughout recording classes, regardless of her saying she wasn’t “a drinker,” prompting him to “guarantee” her he’d name her an Uber dwelling.

Gibson claims that in a late-night recording session in September 2021, Derulo once more requested her to have a drink with him, and he or she “reluctantly” obliged, although she felt the drink was too robust and allegedly informed him so.

The grievance reads, “After this session, the place [Gibson] declined to drink and have intercourse with Derulo, the provide to rearrange for [Gibson] to get to and from Derulo’s studio ceased.”

“Mr. Derulo’s conduct towards this younger artist was despicable,” Zambrano mentioned in an announcement. “He not solely broke guarantees and breached contracts, however his threats of bodily hurt and unconscionable sexual advances towards this younger lady who’s simply attempting to interrupt into the business had been outrageous and unlawful.”

The paperwork additionally reference a November 2021 incident, throughout which Derulo and Gibson met with the presidents of Atlantic to debate her profession. Gibson claims Derulo invited one other lady into the assembly ultimately minute, claiming he hoped to have intercourse along with her, and grew indignant at Gibson when she addressed him and his supervisor about being “thrown off guard” by the girl’s presence. 

Gibson says Derulo ultimately ceased communication, and was informed in September 2022 that her employment with Atlantic and Future Historical past had been terminated.

The swimsuit additionally says that the plaintiff was informed by Derulo that to be able to succeed within the business, she had to participate in “goat pores and skin and fish scales,” a reference to intercourse rituals and cocaine, in response to the grievance. It additionally alleges Gibson ultimately sought psychological well being therapy and was identified with post-traumatic stress dysfunction.

The swimsuit additionally names Radio Company of America DBA “RCA Information,” although Radio Company of America is a defunct electronics firm that’s a separate entity from Sony Music’s RCA Information, which doesn’t seem to have a present contractual relationship with Derulo or Future Historical past.